16,500 trees to be planted at Pekapeka wetland

Trustees of the Community Foundation (Hawke’s Bay) and  members of Stortford Lodge Rotary Club, Hastings,  were out as soon as the fog rose above the Pekapeka wetland yesterday morning. The Rotarians began the first landscape planting alongside a newly-developed car park, to which the community foundation has been a major contributor. At least 16,500 trees will go into the ground over the next few days.

The men planted cabbage trees nearly two metres tall starting beautification near the main highway and future public accessway. It marks the next stage of the 97-hectare project.

Peter Dunkerley, community foundation chairman, said  Lindisfarne College students will participate in the planting and the Taiwhenua will spend a day planting next week. Some of the trees planted over the past two years are now two metres high. The survival rate is more than 95% thanks to the irrigation scheme installed by Stortford Lodge Rotary.

The area is steeped in Hawke’s Bay history and when walkways, bridging and fencing is completed, significant sites will be signposted. Eventually, said Mr Dunkerley, It is hoped that the restored wetland will be linked to provincial cycleways and walkways.

Pekapeka is administered by Steve Cave at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. Announcements are expected of more major developments in the next few months.